RECORD BREAKING CLASS OF 2018

“Learning never stops”–a message equally applicable on the court and in the classroom was delivered to JTCC’s largest class of 23 graduates by commencement speaker George Solomon, former Washington Post sports editor. At the ceremony held outdoors at JTCC on May 23, Solomon also urged the student-athletes to remain intellectually curious.

“This class has shown rigorous academic discipline,” said JTCC School Head Mark Santangelo. “Their results speak for themselves, including two acceptances at Cornell and two at the University of North Carolina, plus one each at Harvard, University of Michigan, and University of Virginia, and one appointment to the Air Force Academy, the sky is the limit for these students to pursue their dreams.”

Wayne Russell accept his high school diploma from the Director of the JTCC school Mark Santangelo

The students will attend 19 different Division I and Division III universities and colleges with two final decisions still forthcoming:

Maria Adiaconitei – Cornell University

Luke Bennett – Chapman University

Kenneth Boyette – Case Western Reserve University

Joseph Brailovsky – University of South Carolina

Brian Cernoch – University of North Carolina

Jessica Fatemi – Emory University

Andrew Fenty – University of Michigan

Matthew Fenty – Undecided

Valerie Ho – Cornell University

Josh Keitelman – University of Richmond

Hunter Lake – Ashland University

Pascal Lee – Kenyon College

Coby Maisel – Earlham College

Lexi Merrill – University of Kentucky

Cameron Morra – University of North Carolina

Boris Palmade – Arizona State University

Brandon Perez – Undecided

Pasquale Procaccino – University of Rochester

Liam Rotzoll – Harvard University

Wayne Russell – Salisbury University

James Scotty – United States Air Force Academy

Jade Woo – Virginia Tech

Jade Woo speaks on behalf of the Class of 2018

William Woodall – University of Virginia

Many of the graduates have trained at JTCC for 10 years or more as was highlighted by student speakers James Scotty and Jade Woo, who both noted the impact JTCC has had in shaping their development and preparing them to meet the challenges ahead.

“Graduation is always an emotional and special day” said JTCC Senior Director of Tennis Vesa Ponkka. “The hard work and dedication of this year’s class has really paid off, and we are very excited to follow their continued progress in college and beyond.”